In August, Huo Yueze's college entrance exam results were released. He was admitted to the most prestigious university in South City, majoring in finance.
For the entire summer vacation, Huo Yueze had been working for Huo Xiaozheng.
Huo Yanqin called it "training" for him.
For convenience, Huo Yueze simply moved to Panlong Bay, working from nine to five every day, commuting with Huo Xiaozheng.
Huo Guining's health had greatly improved, and she no longer accompanied Huo Xiaozheng to work every day.
More often, she devoted herself wholeheartedly to her hobbies.
Occasionally, when she had free time, she would bring nutritious lunches prepared by Aunt Xu to Huo Xiaozheng and Huo Yueze.
In just one month, Huo Yueze's growth was astonishing. Xi Chuan had already started calling him "Young Mr. Huo."
His facial features took after Huo Yanqin, and as he grew older, his eyes lost their youthful innocence, gradually showing some coldness.
When he wasn't speaking, he looked somewhat intimidating.
For daily work, he wore various formal attires.
But unlike Huo Xiaozheng, he didn't like to constrain himself with a tie. He preferred light-colored shirts, always leaving the top button undone, which added a touch of elegance.
When Huo Guining came out of the company elevator, she saw Huo Xiaozheng and Huo Yueze walking side by side, talking in low voices.
Time hadn't left much of a mark on Huo Xiaozheng's face. When he stood next to Huo Yueze, they looked more like brothers than uncle and nephew.
Huo Guining called out, "Dad, Brother."
Both of them turned their gaze towards her simultaneously.
Their serious and cold masks instantly crumbled, their eyes filled with the warmth of midsummer sunshine: "Why are you here?"
They asked in unison.
Huo Guining held up the lunch boxes in her hands, like presenting a treasure: "I've come to deliver lunch!"
The three of them walked towards the pantry as usual.
Huo Guining laid out the meals packed by Aunt Xu, filling the entire table.
"Weren't you supposed to meet Lion today?" Huo Xiaozheng asked, puzzled. "How do you have time to come here?"
Huo Yueze was surprised: "Is it today?"
He quickly took out his phone to check his schedule: "What time? I'll accompany you later."
Huo Xiaozheng said calmly: "No need to check your schedule, you're busy today."
Huo Yueze, known as Young Mr. Huo, didn't look pleased hearing this: "You're not suggesting Ning goes by herself, are you?"
After a pause, he added: "Ning is still so young."
Huo Xiaozheng snorted: "Just because you're busy doesn't mean I am."
Huo Yueze: ...
Huo Guining smiled: "You two just focus on your work. Uncle Zhou will take me there."
Huo Yueze became anxious: "That's not the same!"
After thinking for a moment, he voluntarily stepped back: "Fine, I'll handle the company matters. Uncle, you accompany Ning in the afternoon."
Huo Xiaozheng said leisurely: "What else did you expect?"
He looked as if this had been the plan all along.
Huo Guining couldn't help but giggle. She picked up the serving chopsticks and gave Huo Yueze a piece of ribs:
"Brother, try these potato-braised ribs, they're delicious!"
Huo Yueze, in high spirits, picked up the ribs Ning gave him, deliberately making a show of eating with great relish.
Huo Xiaozheng didn't bother to compete with him.
After lunch, the three of them each took a short nap.
Huo Xiaozheng's rest room still maintained the look of when Ning used to visit frequently.
In just a few short years, Huo Guining had grown like a young sapling, suddenly starting to shoot up.
She was no longer the little girl Huo Xiaozheng needed to carry in his arms all the time.
The rest room before her eyes also gradually seemed to shrink.
Huo Guining hugged a stuffed animal pillow, feeling somewhat emotional.
When Huo Xiaozheng came in to wake her up, her eyes were still staring blankly out the window, lost in thought.
"Couldn't sleep?" Huo Xiaozheng sat down on the edge of the bed and asked softly.
Huo Guining came back to her senses and sat up, still hugging the stuffed animal: "Mm, not very sleepy."
Huo Xiaozheng patted her head: "Then let's get up. Yin Su bought your favorite juice."
Huo Guining nodded.
At one o'clock in the afternoon, Huo Guining, accompanied by Huo Xiaozheng, arrived at Hua Ci Shu.
Hua Ci Shu was a Chinese fusion restaurant that also served as a teahouse during leisure hours.
When Lion proposed to come to South City to meet Huo Guining, Huo Guining, thinking of herself as the host, asked Huo Xiaozheng if there were any characteristic restaurants in South City suitable for entertaining foreigners like Lion.
Huo Xiaozheng recommended this place.
Hua Ci Shu was built against a mountain. From the outside, it looked like a traditional Chinese courtyard. Walking along the bluestone path, clear water flowed down from an artificial mountain, making a tinkling sound. Though not melodious, it had its own charm.
The courtyard was planted with several maple trees and green cypress trees. The trees weren't tall, but well-trimmed.
Under the trees were scattered some flowers and plants that Huo Guining couldn't name.
Walking further in, the restaurant came into view, with white outer walls and blue-green glazed tiles. The interior had light tea-colored flooring and decor, exuding a strong Chinese style.
Huo Xiaozheng and Huo Guining were led to a private room by a waiter.
Opening the window of the room, the view of the mountain was in full sight.
Layers of green mountains stretched out, connecting with the clouds at their peaks.
"Dad, this place is so beautiful. Why haven't you brought me here before?" Huo Guining exclaimed.
Huo Xiaozheng asked the waiter to bring a cup of oolong tea for Ning, and took out a wet wipe for her to clean her hands.
"This place was just built recently. If you like it, we can come here often in the future."
Huo Guining nodded.
While waiting, Huo Xiaozheng leisurely ordered some novel desserts for Ning to eat slowly.
When Lion walked into the private room, he saw the scene of a father and daughter, one big and one small, in a playful tug-of-war.
"You can't eat anymore, or you won't be able to eat dinner later."
"Can we take the rest home then?" The girl's eyes darted around. "Brother will definitely like it."
"..."
The waiter's voice interrupted their conversation: "Mr. Huo, your guest has arrived."
The father and daughter both looked towards the door, their big and small faces oddly overlapping.
Lion resisted the urge to play a matching game and greeted them friendly: "Hello, I'm Lion."
Huo Guining's small face was tense as she stood up with Huo Xiaozheng to greet him.
Although Lion had been in contact with Huo Guining, he didn't know her age.
At first glance, he thought Huo Xiaozheng was his 'online friend'.
"Huo, we finally meet," Lion extended his hand towards Huo Xiaozheng.
Huo Xiaozheng frowned and shook his hand: "You might have misunderstood. Your friend is Ning. I'm her father."
Saying this, he stepped aside, fully exposing Ning to Lion's view.
Lion was of mixed race but prided himself on his good Chinese.
Hearing Huo Xiaozheng's words, he showed an expression of disbelief: "Ning is a child?"
Huo Guining smiled shyly: "No, I'm a big friend. I'm 10 years old by East Asian age reckoning."
Lion felt dizzy and steadied himself on a chair: "Oh my god!"
